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South Dakota is not known for having a lot of people around.
So, whenever someone locks their keys in their car, it soon becomes a statewide emergency—especially if it is anytime from November to February.
The harsh climate and remote living conditions make being a locksmith both challenging and important to local auto owners and business owners alike.
Locksmiths in South Dakota are lifesavers and help people in a time of crisis.
Earn your accredited, affordable Locksmith career diploma online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
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If you want to become a locksmith in this midwestern state, here is what you need to do.
Steps to Become a Locksmith in South Dakota
The first step to becoming a locksmith in South Dakota is to attend a local or online locksmith instruction course.
While there are not any locksmith schools or specialized instruction programs in South Dakota, students can pick up this trade with online training.
Once a student has graduated from a locksmith training program, they are ready to start their own locksmith business.
In South Dakota, the new locksmith will be required to get a business license from the local city hall.
This will give the locksmith business more credit when it comes to banking and financial measures.
Next, a locksmith needs to acquire customers.
This starts with joining the local chamber of commerce and making networks with customers who are likely to use a locksmith.
This includes restaurants, shopping centers, and nightclubs where patrons frequently lock their keys in their cars.
Business owners are often in need of a locksmith to open safes, retool security mechanisms, and make new keys for doors.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith in South Dakota
It is a cinch to become a locksmith in South Dakota.
Students do not have to follow any licensing requirements and certification is not mandatory.
Once a locksmith has graduated from their initial training course, they most likely will want to continue with refresher training and to update their skills.
This is where a locksmith can obtain advanced certificates to showcase their increased abilities.
Other potential licensing requirements for a locksmith in South Dakota include getting a business license.
This is important for a locksmith who is working independently—as is getting bonded with insurance coverage to protect yourself as a locksmith.
Insurance bonding provides financial coverage in case you are caught in a situation you would rather not be in, such as when someone attempts to break into a vehicle with your aide as a professional locksmith.
To avoid such unwanted professional disasters, business licensing and insurance bonding is a good idea for most locksmiths in South Dakota.
Locksmith Programs
In South Dakota, there are no training programs set aside for studying how to become a locksmith.
Additionally, at South Dakota colleges like Northern University and Lake Area Technical College, there are no locksmith training courses at this time.
Students are advised to consult with online colleges and training programs for locksmith instruction.
Penn Foster, Ashworth College, and Foley Belsaw Locksmithing are some of the online locksmithing schools for South Dakota residents.
Salary
The annual salary for a locksmith in the US is $54,145 compared to the annual salary for a locksmith in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which is $48,606.
The salary range for Sioux Falls locksmiths is $36,306 to $60,433.
Compare this to Rapid City, SD, which has a median salary of $46,992 with a range of $35,101 to $58,427.
The lesser populated city of Watertown, SD pays a median salary of $47,793 based on a range of $35,699 to $59,423.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $48,606 |
| Rapid City | $46,992 |
| Aberdeen | $44,128 |
| Watertown | $47,793 |
| Brookings | $47,793 |
| Mitchell | $47,793 |
| Pierre | $44,940 |
| Yankton | $46,694 |
| Huron | $45,961 |
| Vermillion | $45,595 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the annual costs of being a locksmith in South Dakota?
The expenses for locksmiths in South Dakota are primarily labor/payroll and materials and equipment.
Locks, keys, and security systems are only some of the items locksmiths need to keep in their inventory.
However, there are no annual registration costs for being an SD locksmith.
What is the annual median wage for locksmiths in South Dakota?
Locksmith is referred to by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as one of the dozens of 49-0000 Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations (Major Group).
There is no specific state data to show the annual median wage for a locksmith in South Dakota specifically.
However, the IMRO group in South Dakota earns an annual median wage ranging from $48,920 to $50,150.
This is the third-highest paying wage range out of the four categories.
Which area in South Dakota hires the most locksmiths?
The busiest cities and regions of South Dakota are the Black Hills, including Rapid City in Western SD and Sioux Falls in Eastern SD.
These are the biggest cities in a state with fewer than one million total residents.
Therefore, the majority of locksmiths are needed in Rapid City and Sioux Falls.
By the way, Pierre is the state capital, and it is not the largest or most populated city—it is located in the middle of the state.
However, there is also a demand for locksmiths in Pierre, SD.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Locksmith
Locksmith Training by State